BrahMos Missile – Manufacturer, Cost, Range and Speed

Why is BrahMos Missile in News?

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is in the spotlight due to recent India-Pakistan tensions. On May 10, precision strikes reportedly used the BrahMos missile, showcasing its speed, accuracy and low radar visibility. Developed by India and Russia, it has a range of up to 800 km in advanced versions. Its deployment signals India’s firms stance on national defense and strategic readiness.

Introduction to BrahMos Missile

The BrahMos Missile is a supersonic cruise missile developed under a joint project between India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s plays a vital role in India’s defense. It is launched from different platforms like ships, submarines, aircraft and land-based systems.

Origin and Development of BrahMos Missile

The BrahMos Missile was made together by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Its name comes from two rivers – India’s Brahmaputra and Russia’s Moskva. It first joined the Indian Navy in 2005, then the Army in 2007 and later the Air Force in 2019, becoming a key part of India’s defense.

BrahMos Missile – Key Features and Specifications

• Type: Supersonic cruise missile
• Length: About 8.2 meters (varies with different variants)
• Speed: Mach 2.8 to Mach 3.5
• Range: Initially 290 km, with extended variants reaching up to 500 km and future models may extend up to 800 km.
• Guidance System: It uses inertial navigation combined with satellite navigation, along with an active radar homing system for terminal guidance.
• Warhead: 200 to 300 kg conventional warhead, capable of high explosive or semi-armour-piercing strikes.

Costing of BrahMos Missile

The BrahMos missile project started with an authorized capital of 250 million US dollars, which is over Rs.2,135 crore today. India paid 50.5% of the total cost, while Russia paid 49.5%. The cost to set up a factory to make BrahMos missiles was about Rs.300 crore. Each BrahMos missile is believed to cost around Rs.34 crore.

What is the Speed of BrahMos Missile?

BrahMos is a supersonic missile, which means it flies faster than the speed of sound. Its speed is Mach 3, which is three times the speed of sound. Because of this, it becomes very hard for enemy forces to detect or stop it. This makes it one of the fastest and most dangerous missiles in the world.

Range of BrahMos

The first version of the BrahMos missile could travel up to 290 kilometers. Newer versions have a longer range and can fly up to 500 or even 800 kilometers. A more advanced version, which is still being developed, is expected to reach up to 1,500 kilometers.

How Does BrahMos Work?

BrahMos uses a two-stage propulsion system:

• Stage 1: A solid rocket booster launches the missile to supersonic speeds.
• Stage 2: A liquid-fueled ramjet sustainer keeps the missile flying at high speeds during its cruise phase.

This powerful system allows the missile to travel faster, farther and more efficiently than other cruise missiles.

Variants of BrahMos Missile

BrahMos comes in several variants:

• BrahMos Block I: A standard version used by land and sea platforms, with a range of 290 km.
• BrahMos Air-Launched (BrahMos-A): Fired from Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, with a range of 500 km.
• BrahMos Extended Range: The range extends from 450 to 500 km, currently under testing.
• BrahMos-II (Hypersonic): Future version, capable of reaching speeds above Mach 8 and ranges of up to 1,500 km.
• BrahMos-NG (Next Gen): A lighter and smaller version with better stealth and radar systems.

Special Features of the BrahMos Missile

• It can be launched from land, sea, air and underwater platforms.
• Once fired, no further input is required from the operator.
• The missile has a low radar signature, helping it evade detection.
• BrahMos can adopt various flight paths like steep dives or sea-skimming to bypass enemy defenses.

Operational Use and Deployment

BrahMos is deployed across various military branches:

• Indian Navy: It is used in vertical and inclined launch configurations on ships.
• Indian Army: Land-based mobile launchers are used for quick deployment.
• Indian Air Force: Integrated into Su-30KMI fighter aircraft for air-launched attacks.
• Submarine Launch: BrahMos is also ready for underwater launch, increasing its stealth capability.

Future Developments

The BrahMos missile system continues to evolve:

• Hypersonic BrahMos-II: This variant is expected to fly at speeds greater than Mach 8, making it even harder to intercept.
• BrahMos-NG: A next-generation missile with improved stealth, lighter weight and advanced radar guidance.
• Longer Ranges: There are ongoing efforts to increase its range beyond 500 km, potentially up to 1,500 km.